Qyntel Woods

Coming off a nice summer league (18.1 ppg, 41.7% FG, 41.7% 3P), Woods was expected to increase his minutes and role with the team. We say “was,” because Woods was suspended by the team pending an investigation into allegations of his involvement in dog-fighting, an illegal practice in the United States. He could return to the Blazers, but a role for him is not clear – and perhaps nonexistent, given the team’s preference for virtue in their players. If Portland can find a taker, it’s likely he’ll be traded.

Another Blazer of whom we can say has “baggage.” Not quite as much as others, after all he’s only 22. The departure of Scottie Pippen could provide Woods with access to minutes at small forward. At a minimum, he’ll be part of the rotation. We still need to see how the team uses Rasheed Wallace and Zach Randolph as that will determine available minutes at small forward.